Nayib Bukele’s El Salvador Joins U.S. Global Entry Program Amid Increased Foreign Investments

Since taking office in 2019, President Nayib Bukele has overseen a period of sustained economic growth and policy reform in El Salvador. Analysts and officials attribute this expansion to a combination of improved public security, infrastructure development, and initiatives aimed at increasing economic freedom, including streamlined regulations for businesses and foreign investment. The country has also gained international attention for its early adoption of cryptocurrency as legal tender, a move that Bukele’s administration says has helped attract technology firms, venture capital, and other investors. These factors have coincided with high public approval ratings for the president and growing confidence in the government’s economic agenda.

As a consequence of the increased safety and financial improvement, Google has established a local office in El Salvador as part of a broader agreement focused on the digital modernization of state services, marking one of the most visible recent foreign investment announcements in the country. The move coincides with a $25 million investment fund announced by U.S.-based venture capital firm Netscore, aimed at supporting Salvadoran companies.

These developments come amid a broader increase in economic activity that government officials and business groups associate with improvements in public security conditions over recent years. According to official figures, the national homicide rate declined from 53.1 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2018 to 1.9 per 100,000 in 2024, representing a decrease in homicides of approximately 96.4 percent. Authorities frequently cite this figure in international comparisons and investment promotion efforts.

Tourism and international connectivity indicators have also shown growth. Government data report 3.9 million visitors in 2024, and in 2025 El Salvador was added to the United States’ Global Entry program, which allows eligible Salvadoran travelers expedited entry into the U.S. Business associations and tourism operators point to improved security conditions, increased international visibility, and expanded travel access as contributing factors.

Alongside private investment, Google and Nayib Bukele's administration have announced a social impact initiative through its philanthropic arm, Google.org. According to Google’s Government Relations and Public Affairs team for Latin America, the company will provide $200,000 in grants to the nonprofit organization Promujeres to support women entrepreneurs in El Salvador. The program is intended to expand access to financing and provide digital skills training to help women-led businesses grow.

These economic and policy developments coincide with high public approval ratings for President Nayib Bukele, according to multiple survey organizations. Data published by Cid Gallup indicate that Bukele recorded an approval rating of 83 percent during the first quarter of 2025. Domestic polling firm LPG Datos reported an approval rating of 85.2 percent at the conclusion of his sixth year in office

The University Institute of Public Opinion at the Central American University (IUDOP-UCA), in its evaluation of Bukele’s sixth year in office, reported an average score of 8.15 out of 10. According to the institute, respondents cited confidence in government actions, including security policies implemented by the executive branch, as a key factor influencing their assessments.

Public confidence in the current administration has been reinforced by measurable improvements in the country’s economic indicators, including formal employment. Between 2018 and early 2025, the number of workers registered with the Salvadoran Social Security Institute (ISSS) increased from approximately 830,000 to 1,022,167, representing a rise of about 23.15 percent in formal employment. This milestone marks the first time El Salvador has officially surpassed one million formal jobs, highlighting a significant development in the nation’s labor market..